AUBURN HILLS — The move to small forward has been seamless for Detroit Pistons rookie Kyle Singler.

Singler started 37 games at shooting guard, but was likely playing out of position until he was moved to small forward last week in wake of the trade for Jose Calderon.

In Singler’s last four games he is averaging 12 points, 5.25 rebounds and shooting 48.8 percent from the field — all improvements from his season averages of 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 43.9 percent shooting.

“I think he’s had a very, very good rookie campaign,” Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. “Very solid, follows the gameplan, stays within himself, stays within the system, plays to his strengths. I think he’s a good player and I think he’s only going to get better.”

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Singler’s minutes have also increased from less than 28 minutes per game to nearly 34 per game in his last four.

Detroit traded both its starting small forward Tayshaun Prince and its backup small forward Austin Daye in the three-team deal for Calderon so it’s opened all the small forward minutes.

Frank said he will continue to read Singler’s minutes and the message to Singler is simple: Play hard.

“No agenda, just play hard,” Frank said. “(He does) what the team’s asking him to do. Some nights are going to be better than others. You’re guarding some monsters now. You’re going right back at ‘em. It’s a different type of game. You have to impact them in a different way because you have to keep those guys on the move on the other end. Whether it’s Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace. Those positions you’re going to have to do a lot on both ends.”

Frank likes Singler’s approach to the game and feels he’s only going to get better.

“I like his DNA, his habits,” Frank said. “When you’re the same guy every day, that’s a talent. The reliability, the availability, those are all part of the talent code here. I just like his play, like his wiring, like his approach, preparation. I just think with added experience and feel he’ll continue to grow.”

Kravtsov solid

Pistons rookie Viacheslav Kravtsov played his first meaningful minutes of the season Wednesday night.

Kravtsov had played in five NBA games prior to Wednesday, but it was always at the tail end of a blowout.

With Andre Drummond leaving early with a back injury and the Pistons’ other big men battling foul trouble, Detroit turned to Kravtsov in the second quarter.

He finished with four points on 2 for 4 shooting, two rebounds and three fouls in nearly 11 minutes.

“Any time a guy goes from not playing the entire season and you finally get the nod, you’re going to play with great unharnessed energy,” Frank said. “I thought he did a good job. I thought he impacted a bunch of shots in the paint. I thought he ran the floor. He definitely tries to screen bodies. In fairness to him, he hasn’t played the whole year.

“Mike Fratello told me, Mike’s the Ukrainian coach and he does the Nets (broadcasts), he goes, ‘Slava, he’s going to be good for you tonight.’ Slava had a good run.”

Dave Pemberton covers the Pistons for Journal Register News. Email him at dave.pemberton@oakpress.com and follow him on Twitter @drpemberton.